by Jonathan Clerk

Many people like to read feel-good novels with romance and chivalrous heroes set in beautiful, far-off kingdoms or utopian worlds. Some people don’t. Some readers are drawn to books with a darker setting. Dystopian novels are incredibly popular in spite, or often because of the dark and depressing worlds they are set in. These books sell thousands of copies (with the biggest ones selling millions) but some people can’t understand why. Here are a few of the biggest reasons why people find dystopian novels so appealing.

What Are Dystopian Novels?

A dystopian novel is any book set in a dystopian world. A dystopian world can include a lot of things but the easiest way to describe it is any world where things are dire for the average person. These worlds may include mass poverty, government or corporate oppression, surveillance of the public, a police state, or mass conspiracies. These books are frequently set in the future and are often a comment on what can happen if the current problems of the day go too far.

That is the general idea of what dystopian novels are but the worlds vary dramatically from book to book. To further help explain what is included in the dystopian novel genre, some of the most iconic novels in this genre include titles such as George Orwell’s 1984, Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, Anthony Burgess's A Clockwork Orange, Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, and Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games series. For more of the best dystopian novels of all-time, check out this Cool Things Chicago list of the best dystopian novels.

What Would You Do?

Every reader is different so the reasons different people like dystopian novels vary a lot depending on who you talk to. One thing you will hear quite often though is that readers like to imagine themselves in these bleak worlds and in the character’s shoes to think about what they would do if they found themselves in a dystopian world. It is the same reason that people enjoy reading things like end of the world novels and zombie apocalypse novels. 

These readers love the aspect of these books that pits average, everyday citizens – much like the reader – in extraordinary circumstances. They ask themselves questions as they read like, could I survive this? And, how would I fight against this broken system? These readers like the novels because they can fantasize about how they would navigate these very different worlds. 

It is an Allegory

Other readers enjoy these novels because many of them are an allegory for our times. These novels are very often a direct reflection of what is going on in society when the book is written so people who agree with the premise of these novels enjoy reading them. If you believe the government is corrupt or corporations have too much power or the media is manipulating the masses, there is a dystopian novel for you that shows what could happen if these types of things are played out to the Nth degree. 

This is also what keeps many of these books so popular over the years. Books like A Brave New World and 1984 were both written over a half-century ago but remain just as popular today as they were back then. This is because their main dystopian themes, the dangers of technology and government surveillance respectively, are as relatable (if not more so) today than they were when written. 

They Bring You Down

The critics of this genre will tell you that these dystopian novels are just so dark and depressing. Many of the fans of these novels will wholeheartedly agree! The thing about any good art is that it should make you feel emotion. If you want art to uplift you and make you feel all warm and fuzzy, that’s fine. If the feelings you feel trend more toward sadness or despair that is ok too.

Some readers really enjoy the darkness of these novels. They want to be made to think about bad things or experience unhappy feelings. It is a normal human response to want these things and is the reason why sad songs or movies where the hero dies at the end, are just as popular as their upbeat counterparts. 

Dark Humor

It is not for everyone but for some people, nothing tickles the funny bone like dark humor. When people are around troubling or disturbing things all the time, many try and deal with the situation with humor. It is where the term “gallows humor” comes from. Making the best of a bad situation often comes in the form of a joke in these novels and for people who can’t help but laugh at crass, ill-timed, or taboo humor, these novels are often littered with them. 

From an author’s point of view, they feel the need to both illustrate gallows humor in intense situations and to lighten the mood for the reader occasionally with some funny parts. This is why many dystopian novel fans will tell you that many of these books are actually quite funny. If you can find humor in the wastelands these novels like some of the characters do, you are sure to become a fan too.

The Triumph of the Human Spirit

Just because these books start in a very dark place doesn’t mean that some don’t have happy endings. Sometimes, the hero wins at the end, and good triumphs over evil. The books in this genre share a common bond of gloomy worlds but that doesn’t mean when you turn the last page there won’t be a ray of hope.

Just like life, sometimes the highest highs come from the lowest lows. Dystopian worlds are often painted as the lowest of the low, especially for the characters most affected by the tumult, but that can be a perfect backdrop to show the triumph of the human spirit. There can be a single person fighting the good fight and through dedication to the cause, a belief in themselves, pureness of intention, and often the help of a few friends along the way, they will eventuality win the day because even in dystopian universes, the good can still prevail. 

Conclusion

Dystopian novels are not for everyone but they may be more for you than you know. If you can relate to any of these reasons above or just want to try a new genre that includes some amazing books, check out dystopian novels. It may be a much more satisfying experience than you think.

Jonathan Clerk is an independent Chicago-based journalist with 20 years of experience covering lifestyle, fashion and local events.